Relativity

Those seeking to understand Einstein’s Theory of Relativity should log on to their computer and either copy or download a large file. As the process initiates, a long rectangular bar displays on the screen and, beginning on the left, is gradually filled with green as the download or copy progresses. Often, the time remaining to complete the transfer process is cited below the bar. The progression of remaining time often reads something like this:

1hour 40 minutes

24 minutes

36 minutes

43 minutes

17 minutes

3 weeks, 2 days, 13 hours, 53 minutes

4 minutes

4 score 7 years

12 minutes

42 minutes

47 seconds

7 minutes

14 seconds

File download complete

This is profoundly unhelpful when you are seeking to organize your work flow.

Why do they bother? Perhaps it is a metaphor for life. Just as we feel that some satisfying conclusion to our current crisis is moving toward resolution the anticipated time of completion increases exponentially. Life is like that- you never know what will happen next. Perhaps this is the same for life in the computer world, where clearly, time is a relative matter.

This file will complete downloading in a period of time yet to be determined.